Windhoek Things to Do

This beautiful church is a good example of the German architecture of the city, was constructed in 1907 and consecrated in 1910. It was built by the germans to commemorate the peace between the germans and the local tribes (Nama, Herero and Owambo). The glass windows were donated by the Kaiser Wilhelm II.

This paradisiac lodge located at about 30km from Windhoek was recommended to us by our friend Heidi. The lodge seems to be the perfect place for a honeymoon (may be one day ;-)) We didn't spend the night there this time but we went on a game drive in the long grass at the foot of the mountains and watch the lion feeding afterwards, it was a great experience.

Since there are no seriously dangerous animals there, you can walk in the mountains to try to spot some animals. It's a very different approach but it's probably the one I prefered. During our 9km-hiking, we had the feeling we were the only one on earth, there was nobody around. We only met a German couple after one or two hours. We began our walk around 3pm but were a bit afraid of not getting back on time before sunset (6 pm) since the trail was not always well indicated, the map was hand-drawn and we spent time watching the animals. As the sun was going down, we could hear more and more frightening animal screams. But if I write this today, it means that we made it before the night and indeed, we arrived at the exit at 5:55 pm !!

Animals we saw in Daan Vijoen :

- plenty of (ugly) spiders
- oryx
- Hartmann’s mountain zebras
- a warthog

We felt like home in the center of Windhoek, but when we went to the suburb, in the Katatura township (= black ghetto), we entered a very different world. This is where most of the middle-class and poor black people live. It's recommended to go there with a guide who will explain you the history of this township and show you around instead of going on your own, this could be dangerous in some places. The tourism information office on Independence Ave offers 3-hour-tours for about 150 N$. It worths the value.

In fact, you don't need more than a couple of days to see Windhoek city. The architecture is mainly colonial so you can see German-style houses and churches, half-timbered houses and (weird) coloured modern buildings.

It's really an amazing stuff to see a beautiful chruch in Africa. Just 10 minute walk from the town. Inside there is a nice grandpa who gives visitors a hand, even you need a photo-taking, he is willing to do so. What's more, you don't have to pay any entrance fee.

It's in the hill of Windhoek. You just go straight from Luderitz Ave. And you can see the many bulidings. The best one is parliament with a beautiful park in front of it. Even in winter time. the park looks so green and lovely.

Going up Peter Müller Strasse from Independence you can find a lot of nice old colonnial buildings, as this Christuskirche, Tintenpalast (Parliament Bldg. now), private castles and the Alte Feste, the oldest building in town: 1892!